Chamber, sponsors pumped up for 15th annual Gus Macker Tournament

GAYLORD - The streets of downtown Gaylord will be bouncing with activity as the Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce hosts the 15th annual Gus Macker Tournament.

Wal-Mart, Pepsi and Quicksilver Resources are co-hosts for the June 19-20 event, which features slamming, dunking, and passing from 8 a.m. Saturday well into the afternoon that Sunday.

Four-person teams may register online at www.macker.com or call the Gaylord Information Center at 732-4000, or 800-345-8621. Entry forms must be postmarked by May 28. On-line registration is through May 31.

"Whether you're a seasoned pro, a weekend warrior, or an ageless amateur at the game of basketball, the Macker is for you," claim chamber officials.

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This year 40 businesses and organizations have taken on court sponsorship roles. Seven host hotel sponsors include the Red Roof Inn, Best Value Inn, Days Inn, Quality Inn, Treetops Resort, Hampton Inn and Best Western Alpine Lodge.

Between games, chamber officials urge players and spectators to check out the business exhibit area on the southeast corner of Court and First Street. Among the exhibitors will be Sunburst Marine, Resort One, Otsego Memorial Hospital, Extreme Power Sports, Beaver Creek Resort, United States Army Recruiting Station, Otsego County Fair Association, Otsego County Sportsplex, North Central Arts Academy, Northern Michigan Children's Museum, Powerhouse Gym, Blue Green Vacation Rentals, Marsh Ridge Resort, and Heart to Heart Massage Spa.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan will be the top court sponsor. Catt Development and the Gaylord Evangelical Free Church will be the special events sponsor; gold sponsors include Big Buck Brewery and Steakhouse and Fifth Third Bank.

The Gaylord/Otsego County Chamber of Commerce has played host to the tournament since its inception in 1990, raising nearly $300,000, for local charities and organizations.